Wild Atlantic Nature Project

Wild Atlantic Nature Project

Maximum Flexibility Needed for Successful Wild Atlantic Nature Project

An IFA delegation held a meeting this week with the new Wild Atlantic Nature Project and said it has to give farmers maximum flexibility.

The delegation included IFA Rural Development Chairman Michael Biggins, IFA Hill Chairman Flor McCarthy, Mayo IFA Hill Rep Pat Chambers and Mayo IFA Chairman Jarlath Walsh.

They held an outdoor hill assessment meeting in Mayo.

The Project is focused primarily on the blanket bog SACs and associated lands from Galway Bay up to north Donegal and the objective is to achieve good habitat quality in the north-western SACs.

Both Derek McLoughlin and Garry Goggins of the LIFE IP Wild Atlantic Nature project gave a detailed presentation on how each land parcel would be scored on an actual inspection.  The presence of undisturbed ground with many of the local grasses, heathers and moss will score the maximum points while poached or overgrazed and the presence of turf cutting may reduce the score.

Questions were raised about how each individual’s enclosed and commonage lands will be marked on the complex score card system which will determine payment rates.

IFA Hill Committee Chairman Flor McCarthy said, “The Wild Atlantic Nature Life IP or any other scheme must not lead to increased restrictions on farms and we welcome clarification that participating farmers will be allowed to stock their land to its potential”.

It is planned to pilot the project in the Owenduff/Nephin SAC area for 2021 and 2022 with payments for both years.  It is to open for all farmers in the Owenduff/Nephin SAC area to submit an Expression of Interest from Monday next until June 14th.

IFA Rural Development Chairman Michael Biggins said all farmers who submit an expression of interest to participate in the project must be included.

Mayo IFA Chairman Jarlath Walsh advised farmers who wished to join the pilot project to familiarise themselves with the terms and conditions.

Details of the new scheme will be published and circulated to hill farmers in the area immediately.

Ends.

May 20, 2021

MIDLAND GAME FARM, TYRRELLSPASS, CO WESTMEATH

MIDLAND GAME FARM, TYRRELLSPASS, CO WESTMEATH

Midland Game Farm is a family run business that was established in 2008 by Adrian Corcoran. Adrian himself has over 25 years of experience in the rearing and management of game birds.  They have built up a reputation as a well respected game farm based on the quality of their strong and healthy birds.  They supply pheasant eggs, day old chicks, 7 week old poults and adult birds to gun clubs and shoots all over Ireland.

Midland Game Farm have grown from rearing only 50 birds at the onset to now over 20,000 birds every year. Top quality day old pheasant chicks are imported from a hatchery in the UK and placed in their specially prepared gas heated brooder houses where they spend up to three weeks before being given access to outdoor grass runs. This process hardens off the poults, preparing them for transfer to their customers release pens. This ensures that are their poults are well feathered and healthy.

They also hold back a large number of seven week old poults which are placed in their large flight pens. These pens are sowed with game crop in order to produce top quality adult cock pheasants which are available in September and throughout the shooting season.

They have recently purchased incubation and hatching equipment and are now hatching and supplying day old pheasant chicks all over the country. Eggs are produced from their own over wintered hens which are carefully selected to produce only top quality eggs and chicks.

Eggs are collected daily and are washed and put in trays to then be placed in the incubator on a weekly basis. After 21 days the eggs are removed from the incubator and placed in a hatching unit where the chicks will hatch after 4 days.

For any further enquires or to place an order contact Adrian on 087 0522311

Pheasant eggs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 29, 2021

IFA STATEMENT ON FIRE IN KILLARNEY NATIONAL PARK

IFA STATEMENT ON FIRE IN KILLARNEY NATIONAL PARK

The fire in the National Park in Killarney has caused significant damage to wildlife and highlights the dangers of a fire spreading during a prolonged dry spell of weather.

Burning outside of the dates set down in legislation should not happen.

A full investigation should be carried out and those responsible should face the full rigours of the law.

If a farmer’s land is burned outside of season, through no fault of their own, then that farmer risks losing their payments, which is also unfair.

We appeal to everyone – farmers, recreational users and the general public – to be extremely vigilant because of the current weather conditions.

IFA looks forward to being involved in any future discussions on land management with all stakeholders, to avoid an incident happening in the future.

 

April 28, 2021

UNIQUE CLUB PROGRAMME FOR IFA COUNTRYSIDE MEMBERS

UNIQUE CLUB PROGRAMME FOR IFA COUNTRYSIDE MEMBERS

Following a hugely successful 2020, IFA Countryside has announced its Club Programme for 2021.

The club programme is a unique feature of IFA Countryside Membership.  It’s a way of giving back to the members who play an important role in conservation and wildlife management.

Last year IFA Countryside rolled out a subsidised pheasant programme which was taken up by a huge number of clubs.  St Colman’s, Co Cork was one of the clubs who availed of this offer and found the assistance from IFA to be a great help in keeping the costs down.

This year’s programme will also include subsidised pheasants/feed, larsen/magpie traps/poultry crates at very competitive prices and also subsidised training.

Brian Rushe, Chairman IFA Countryside said “Programmes like these help clubs to continue and grow and prosper while lessening the financial burden of game and conservation enthusiasts.”

IFA Countryside club members also receive all the other exclusive benefits which automatically come with membership including:

  • Comprehensive shooting and insurance including a Personal Accident and Personal Legal Liability Cover, underwritten by FBD; the largest indigenous Irish Insurer in the market
  • €35 voucher from FBD
  • Save €210 on a monitored home security system with Phone Watch
  • 15% off Original Irish Hotels
  • €300 discount with ifac Accountants for new clients
  • 12% off comprehensive health screenings with Mater Private
  • One year’s free road tax with KIA
  • 15% off motorist fares with Stena Line
  • 10% off car hire and 15% off van hire with Hertz
  • Free Legal Helpline
  • Protect your Business Employment Service with HR Duo
  • Save up to 17% off Vodafone packages
  • 15% off Bord Gáis Energy plus €140 cashback
  • Great value landline and broadband packages with IFA Telecom

For more information, please contact us on 1890 924 982 or www.ifacountryside.ie

E-mail: countryside@ifa.ie

Offers subject to change over the course of membership. Terms and conditions apply

March 12, 2021

DEPARTMENT ISSUES ADVICE ON ILLEGAL BURNING OF LANDS & CUTTING OF HEDGEROWS

Both farmers and the wider public, whether it be at work or in enjoying the countryside, should at this time of year be mindful of the damage caused by burning. It is also more important than ever that no one should start an illegal fire in the countryside as such activity will cause the unnecessary diversions of emergency service resources.

The Department asks all countryside users to be vigilant, to report any suspicious activity to An Garda Síochána, and to report any uncontrolled or unattended fires immediately to the Fire and Emergency Services via 112/999 service.

https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/1d55d-illegal-burning-of-lands-and-cutting-of-hedgerows/

 

 

 

March 3, 2021